Javi the Frog's Travel Blog

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so why wouldn't you want to tie the knot here?! Whether you are having a small, private wedding, or large and luxurious gathering with friends and family, Costa Rica is the place to be. From white-sand beaches and lush forests to towering volcanoes and mountain ranges, you'll have virtually every backdrop to pick from here... [More]

If you're like me, you love trying new foods when you travel! Getting to taste the cuisine of a certain country or region tells a lot about the people who live there, the culture and beliefs. I was very excited when I found out I was getting the opportunity to go to one of my favorite places in Costa Rica: Que Rico Arenal Restaurant. Situated right in front of the gorgeous Arenal Volcano, Que Rico offers a unique dining experience with sprawling views and yummy dishes... [More]

Many people who visit Costa Rica depend on rental cars, but there's no better way to explore the country than by doing as the locals do and taking public transit. One of my favorite parts of riding the bus in Costa Rica is the fact that I get to meet so many new people and hear great stories about their travels across the country. Plus, you don't have to worry about paying attention to the road when taking advantage of public transportation. You can sit back and enjoy the beautiful landscape and biodiversity of Costa Rica! Don't be scared, hop on public transportation with me... [More]

San Jose is the capital and largest city in Costa Rica, so it should come as no surprise that this metro area features plenty of things to do. In fact, San Jose is one of my favorite places to go shopping in the entire country! Not only does the city have Costa Rica artifacts and goods, there are several places to buy imported items from other Central American countries like Panama, Ecuador and Guatemala. Whether you're in the market for handcrafted items, clothes, jewelry or Costa Rica's famous coffee, you'll find that you can shop 'til you drop without a problem in San Jose... [More]

Tucked along the Nicoya Peninsula, Tamarindo, Costa Rica, is a small town with a big personality. Luscious greenery leads to crisp, clear blue waters and in an instant you're in paradise! Tamarindo is the ultimate tropical getaway, and I've enjoyed my time hopping through the area and zipping through the canopy. But if you're in a time crunch, there are a few spots that you simply cannot miss during your short stay here. Come along with me; I'll be your tour guide through the best places to visit in 24 hours in Tamarindo!... [More]

I was recently hopping along through the town of Turrialba in Cartago and ran into one of the newest and largest hydroelectric plants in Costa Rica! I was so excited because it doesn't emit greenhouse gas byproducts, which is good for me, my habitat and my friends, and brings my native land one step closer to becoming a carbon-neutral country. We're already well on our way - my environmentalist brother Henrique told me that 80 percent of electricity is created like this already. Green energy aside though; that isn't even why I'm telling you about this beautiful spot it also doubles as a beautiful lagoon!... [More]

There are some pockets of Costa Rica that don't have a pinch of modern living and that's the best reason to visit! The small town of Monteverde sits off a long dirt road branching from the Pan American Highway in the Central Highlands region of the country. You probably want to visit Monteverde because of the stunning cloud forest, but there are several other attractions that you can pack into a 24-hour visit at this mountaintop haven. Won't you join me in all of my favorite adventures of this region?... [More]

One of the easiest ways to get around the country is with a Costa Rica car rental. Since everything is fairly spread out, public transportation can take nearly twice as long to get to a destination. Having access to a rental car simply makes it easier to explore all the natural splendors scattered throughout Costa Rica at your own pace. I may not actually be able to drive a car, but I've had plenty of experience getting across the country on a vehicle so I've got plenty of advice driving in Costa Rica is quite different than driving in many other places! Here are a few tricks of the trade and helpful tips that will make your drive smooth and serene - after all, the roadways in my homeland boast some of the most magnificent views... [More]

You may think that Costa Rica is only for thrill-seekers and sun bathers, but it offers plenty of options to people of all ages! Throughout my travels across this great land, I've run into diverse crowds of people, and people in post-retirement - in my froggy opinion - are among the happiest. After your children have left the nest and your career has ended, what better way is there to celebrate than an adventure in the rainforest? Here are some of the most ideal things to do on your post-retirement trip to Costa Rica come and hop along with me!... [More]

Have you ever wanted to wake up and see a towering volcano out your window? At the Arenal Volcano Inn, that's a reality! During my recent travels across Costa Rica, I was lucky enough to stay here, and I must say it lived up to all the hype! Featuring 25 hotel rooms, this Inn is fairly secluded so you'll be able to relax, but it's within just a few steps or hops in my case to some of the best resources available at in La Fortuna. Not convinced yet? I'll share with you the tales of my adventure and it might just change your mind... [More]

Living in the rainforest of Costa Rica, I may not have immediate access to music like you imagine, but I get to hear some of the most beautiful natural harmonies in the world. From the birds chirping tunes to monkeys howling in unison, nature is one of the greatest places to find entertainment. Costa Rica has a long tradition of folklore music that is unparalleled, and modern music is similarly as unique. You'll find people dancing the night away to salsa, meringue or cumbia rhythms in discos every weekend. Sometimes you just can't help yourself but join in on the fun! As one of the most vibrant parts of Costa Rica culture, I'd like to share with you the history and background of all the sounds you hear looming across the country... [More]

Have you ever been white water rafting? It's one of the most thrilling experiences I've ever had!! The great people at Wave Expeditions in La Fortuna helped me get over my fear of raging down a river for the first time. Man, was I nervous! But I was able to lead the boat down the rapids and my sticky feet pads made it easy for me to grip on tight... [More]

When you're planning what to do in Costa Rica, your to-do list is probably as big as the Arenal Volcano! Although you wish you could spend two weeks exploring my homeland, chances are you only have a few days to pack in the fun. That's why I'm here! Jaco is a must-see beachside gem close to San Jose, but there is a lot going on in this bustling destination. If you only have 24 hours in Jaco, here are some of the activities you simply can't pass up!... [More]

Have you ever imagined going to a place where you can explore 13 different ecosystems, see up to 140 mammal species, 400 bird species, 116 amphibian and reptile species, 40 different types of fish and at least 500 species of trees? Well, this place exists! Corcovado National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and easily one of my favorite places to visit. Located along the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park features a lowland rainforest, highland cloud forest, jolillo palm forest, mangrove wetlands, coastal and marine habitats. I have many friends that live here, so I've visited Corcovado plenty of times! I'd love to share my experiences along the way... [More]

Do you love chocolate? Of course you do what kind of question is that?! In Costa Rica, we have some of the most wonderful chocolate that is made by the country's indigenous Bribri tribe. You just have to try it! You can actually spend the entire day learning how food is grown by the Bribri, go on a hike through a cacao plantation and see a demonstration of the cacao paste process using tools that date back to pre-Columbian times. It's a sight to see can you already smell the chocolate in the air? Yum!... [More]